Keeping Our Community and Wildlife Safe: Did You Know Animal Series- Black Bears

Keeping our Community and Wildlife Safe- Animal Series Black Bears 

Did you know?

With fall soon approaching, we are reminded that many of our Strata wildlife creatures, in particular Black bears will soon be seeking out much needed food in preparation for and/or to survive winter.  It is a time to increase our awareness that they along with ourselves share living within our beautiful natural environment.  Understanding some key information provided by WildSafe BC  and reminders from your Strata GGC can help to ensure a safe community co-existence.  Here are some interesting facts you might find of interest.

Interesting General Facts: 

• vegetation makes up about 80% of their diet. 
• have actute sense of smell, can locate food at great distances up to 1KM away.
• most active from April to November.
• can lose 30% of their body weight over the winter.
• come Fall, go through hyperphagia(“extreme eating”) requiring an average of 20,000 calories per day.
• can run extremely fast uphill or down. 
• excellent tree climbers with keen eyesight and hearing and have excellent memories. 
• solitary animals except when females raising cubs, gathering around food sources, in late June mating season.
• their dens tend to be under large trees, logs, stumps and may even be found above ground. 
• those that have associated a food reward through human contact are more likely to come into conflict with people.  This can lead to destruction of property, injuries or death to pets. Never set out garbage the night before as this is when bears are most likely to be active. 
• warmer temperatures and effects of such weather patterns as El Nino may delay timing of and/or negate hibernation with bears waking up in January or March instead of April. 
• early hibernation emergence means hungry bears searching for food sooner.  When natural food sources are scarce, household sources such as unsecured garbage become very tempting- Yum,Yum!
• less than one fatal black bear attack on humans every three years in B.C. 

While bear confrontations have been rare within our Strata Community here are a few things advised by WildLife BC and your Strata GGC that can help to “Avoid Bear Interactions”:

• Talk or sing to avoid surprising a bear
• Be aware of your surroundings and do not use headphones when hiking, biking or running. 
• Manage your attractants such as Organic food waste. 
• Keep pets leashed. Dogs may be perceived as a potential threat or prey. 
• Fruit trees with unpicked fruits can become a major attractant, consider picking fruit regularly.  
• Keeping attractants secure helps prevent bears from becoming comfortable around people. 
• To learn more, go to: https://wildsafebc.com/species/black-bear/

A little awareness can go a long way in keeping our community–and our wildlife neighbours–safe.

Thank you from your Grounds and Communication Committee